Going digital: Delhi Metro launches first-ever cashless tokens

On Sunday, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) launched the smart card recharge facility or cashless token sale where users can now scan the Bharat Quick Response (QR) Code displayed at the token counters and customer care centres of metro stations for recharges. DMRC’s Managing Director Dr Mangu Singh launched this facility at Rajiv Chowk Metro station, Delhi. Now commuters can use the Bharat QR Code through their respective bank’s application installed in their smartphones. The service can be availed by using any bank application and this has been provided by HDFC Bank.

All savings account holders and bank wallet users can recharge their cards, using Bharat QR code, and make payments by logging into their bank’s application and scanning the QR code available at the stations. This facility is currently available at five metro stations i.e. Rajiv Chowk, Nehru place, Rajendra Place, Pitampura and Seelampur only.

The facility will be subsequently introduced at all metro stations of the Delhi Metro network in phased manner.

“The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation is making all efforts to push the cashless mode of a transaction initiated by the Government of India. This new cashless facility is expected to provide the commuters a more convenient and fast access to the Delhi Metro network besides helping in managing the problem of change/coins at the stations,” said Dr Mangu Singh.

The Bharat QR Code works with all major banks in India and was recently introduced by the Union Government to promote cashless transactions. This bar code uses the bank’s information (merchant name and account number) that is required for the payment.

In a bid to promote cashless transactions the DMRC had taken many initiatives in recent months. Last month, it introduces the smart card recharge or token sale facility at the token vending machines by using credit or debit cards at the Lal Quila Metro Station. DMRC had earlier also introduced e-wallet applications to recharge Delhi Metro smart cards.

For using the Bharat QR code commuters need to log-in into their bank application and select the option to pay using the QR code. Then they need to scan the QR code at the station to get the merchant details and enter the amount, confirm and then authenticate the payment by PIN/OTP. Though, first time users will need to grant the application permission to access the camera present on their mobile phones.